Other Branches of Reiki
In the previous section, we looked at students and branches of reiki with a direct connection to Chûjirô Hayashi and Hawayo Takata, and here, we’ll explore the myriad reiki systems that have arisen from those initial offshoots. Keep in mind this isn’t a 100 percent complete list of reiki systems, as there were some systems for which I could find nothing more than a name, and no doubt reiki branches exist without books, websites, or other publicly available sources of information.
Angelic RayKey: Sananda
This system is said to be the teachings of Archangel Michael as channeled by Sananda, and with the addition of the new material, she was guided to change the name to RayKey. There are three levels of study that incorporate a variety of non-traditional techniques, such as sealing the aura, healing with color, using intercessory prayer, and sending energy to individuals who have “crossed over.” 1
Ascension Reiki: Jayson Suttkus
There are ten levels of initiation in the Ascension Reiki system, which was developed by Jayson Suttkus, based on his work with the “Ascended Masters.” 2 The different levels of initiation are said to attune various levels of the subtle anatomy as follows:
1. The Acting Body (conscious, unconscious, and physical body)
2. The Thinking Body (collective conscious, collective unconscious, seven auras, and five pranas)
3. The Feeling Body (universal conscious, universal unconscious, seven chakras along the spine, and five chakras on the front of the body)
4. The Karmic Body or Atmic Body (God conscious, God unconscious, eternal body, and the meridian system)
5. The Mind
6. The Soul
7. The Spirit
8. The Will
9. The Higher Self
10. The Sacred Heart
Celtic Reiki: Martyn Pentecost
This system originally used some of Usui’s methods paired with “eighteen original essences,” described as “the vibrations of trees,” but over time the practice evolved until Pentecost reworked the teachings in 2009. On his website he writes, “Celtic Reiki Realm Mastery consists of different experiences and areas of knowledge, which combine into a powerful form of treatment style, method of spiritual growth, and personal-development system. These consist of: Essences, Techniques, Realms, Mystics, Lores, Orientations, and Calibrations.” Training is divided into three programs: Foundation Mastery, Mystic Mastery, and Realm Mastery, with other courses offered on topics such as Celtic seership and karmic regression therapy.3
Gendai Reiki Hô: Hiroshi Doi
Hiroshi Doi was one of the first students of Mieko Mitsui, the journalist who has been credited with reimporting reiki to Japan in the 1980s. Mitsui was only permitted to attune students to levels one and two, so Doi began to search for teachers offering level three courses in Japan. He met Kimiko Koyama, the sixth president of the Usui Reiki Ryôhô Gakkai, and was permitted to join the Gakkai after being introduced by one of its members. He was taught and attuned by Koyama and was amazed at how different it was from the course he had taken with Mitsui. Interested in “whether Western reiki had improved or degenerated from Dento Reiki or had become a totally different practice,” Doi also studied Neo Reiki in Osaka and attended many Western reiki courses in Japan, including those taught by Frank Arjava Petter. 4 (Dento Reiki refers to the system practiced by the Usui Reiki Ryôhô Gakkai, as inherited from Mikao Usui.)
Doi eventually developed the system of Gendai Reiki Hô, which he defines as “a practical Reiki method for modern people.” 5 The teachings are rooted in Usui’s original methods and philosophy with Doi’s additions. In a 2014 Reiki News Magazine article, Doi states that Western reiki tends to focus more on the healing aspects of reiki, and he feels that “the importance of spiritual advancement, which is the basic philosophy of Usui Reiki Ryôhô, was not exported to the West enough.” 6 Thus, his system incorporates a number of practices for self-purification and spiritual growth. See Chapter 20 for an overview of Gendai teachings specific to each level.
Golden Age Reiki: Maggie Larson
This system was channeled by Maggie Larson, also known as Shamara, and is said to be similar to the Tera Mai (included in this appendix) with additional symbols and a different type of elemental energy.7
Jinlap Maitri Reiki and Blue Star Reiki: Gary Jirauch
Training in both systems is available to already attuned reiki masters. Jinlap Maitri Reiki instruction is divided into five levels: Five Elements Practitioner, Medicine Buddha Practitioner, Medicine Buddha Master Practitioner, Jinlap Maitri Master Practitioner, and Jinlap Maitri Master Teacher. It is said to incorporate the use of sounds, colors, and elements to aid in healing, along with twenty-five symbols.8 Blue Star Reiki is a variation of Blue Star Celestial Energy, which was said to have originated in ancient Egypt and channeled through a South African reiki master named John Williams. Jirauch added to the teachings and created Blue Star Reiki, which consists of two levels and fourteen symbols.
Johrei Reiki/Vajra Reiki
Johrei is a spiritual practice based on the teachings of Mokichi Okada, who founded the practice in 1935. Johrei is a means of focusing and channeling universal life energy. The Johrei Fellowship does not recognize Johrei Reiki as part of its teachings and has since trademarked the name, so Johrei Reiki is now known as Vajra Reiki. It is taught in three levels, and it is recommended that students be initiated to level two in a traditional system before beginning with level one in the Vajra Reiki system, known as Shokuden. In this level, students are taught hand positions, the Vajra Guru mantra, and four symbols; three attunements are given at this level. In the next level, Shinpiden, students receive one attunement and are given the Maha-Vajra Symbol. They also learn how to give Shokuden level attunements to others. Students must practice at this level for one year before progressing to the final level, the Vajra Raku-Kei Reiki Mastership. Master students are given one attunement and the Param-Agni Symbol (“ultimate fire”), and they learn how to conduct attunements for the previous two levels.9
Karuna Ki: Vincent P. Amador
Karuna Ki means “the way of compassionate energy,” and the system centers around connecting to compassion as a pathway to healing self and others. It differs from Karuna Reiki through the introduction of new attunements, Karuna Ki Do meditations, and mudras. Like Karuna Reiki, Karuna Ki uses the symbols Zonar, Halu, Harth, Rama, Gnosa, Kriya, Shanti, Iava, Om, Fire Serpent, and the Tibetan Master Symbol. There are three levels of attunements given for those who are not already reiki masters in a traditional reiki system.
Karuna Reiki (Usui/Tibetan Reiki), Holy Fire Reiki: William Lee Rand
Training in these systems is available through the International Center for Reiki Training (ICRT) for those who have already completed a master-level training in a traditional system. There are two levels with two attunements, four “master symbols,” and eight “treatment symbols.” Please see Chapter 12 for more information regarding Karuna symbols. The word Karuna can be translated as “compassionate action,” and it focuses on self-healing and healing others as a means of diminishing the suffering of all beings.10 The energy of Karuna is said to emanate from the Creator and lead one to the awareness that all beings are one.11 Holy Fire Reiki was introduced by the ICRT in 2004, and it is said to be more refined and from a higher level of consciousness. It is included in the Karuna Reiki trainings.
Komyo Reiki Kai/Komyo ReikiDo: Hyakuten Inamoto
This system is based on the teachings of Chûjirô Hayashi as taught by Chiyoko Yamaguchi (see Jikiden Reiki), and it was developed in 1998 by Hyakuten Inamoto, a Pure Land Buddhist monk. There are four levels: shoden, chuden, okuden, and shinpiden. In shoden, students learn about the history of reiki and the basics of hands-on healing. Four attunements are given at this level. In chuden, the symbols and their usage are taught, along with distance healing techniques. This level also includes four attunements. In okuden, the focus is on spiritual development. A fourth symbol is given, along with two attunements. Shinpiden is reserved for students who wish to become teachers, and according to the website, one must inquire about the necessary criteria before being permitted to enroll.12 Inamoto is also the founder of Komyo ReikiDo International, which connects practitioners across the globe and provides a directory of certified teachers.
Newlife Reiki Seichim: Margot Deepa Slater
After studying traditional reiki and Traditional Seventh Facet Seichim, in 1991, Slater entered an altered state of consciousness and saw Mikao Usui and the deity Quan Yin, which led to the creation of Newlife Reiki Seichim. There are seven levels of instruction.
Osho Neo Reiki: Himani H. Gerber
This system was developed in the 1990s by a German reiki master, Himani H. Gerber, while she was living in an Osho commune in India. Osho was an Indian philosopher, guru, and mystic who lived from 1931 to 1990. Gerber studied reiki with Mary McFadyen (see page 351), receiving her master attunement in 1989. While teaching reiki in the commune, Gerber claims to have received a message from Osho that she was now to call this practice Osho Neo Reiki. In level one, students are taught the history of reiki, the basics of working with healing energy, hand positions for self-healing and treating others corresponding to the seven chakras, additional techniques for balancing the chakras, and two Osho meditations: Dynamic Meditation and Kundalini Meditation. They receive four attunements. In level two, students learn three symbols and how to use them in various ways, and they are given many tools to explore the seven levels of consciousness as they pertain to healing. The master level training is undertaken after a great deal of inner work, and the external experience is largely meant to honor and celebrate the inner transformation that has already occurred. It consists of a three-day preparation, including further teaching and shared meditation, followed by the master-level attunement.13
Rainbow Reiki: Walter Lübeck
The teachings of Rainbow Reiki are inspired by traditional reiki practices, with the addition of teachings from Zen Buddhism, Sufism, shamanism, Hermeticism, and Lübeck’s personal philosophies, and many non-traditional techniques are incorporated, such as the Reiki Powerball, chakra opening, inner child work, and “dynamization” of the aura. Prior to taking the first degree of Rainbow Reiki, one must receive four attunements from a “traditionally trained Reiki Master within the scope of a seminar on the First Degree.” 14 For the second degree, one must first be attuned to the traditional three symbols and mantras.
Reido Reiki: Fuminori Aoki
Reido Reiki, a system created by Fuminori Aoki, means “to start again or be reborn,” and its teachings are a blend of Japanese and Western techniques.15 Aoki studied with Barbara Weber Ray and adopted the seven-level model of instruction. In addition to the four traditional symbols and mantras, the Koriki symbol, or Force of Happiness symbol, is used to bring about inner peace.16
Reiki Jin Kei Do: Ranga Premaratna
This system, created by Ranga Premaratna, claims lineage from Chûjirô Hayashi, but instead of being transmitted via Hawayo Takata, Premaratna says that he learned from two Buddhist monks who were students of Hayashi: the Venerable Takeuchi and the Venerable Seiji Takamori. The name has been translated as “the path of compassion and wisdom through Reiki,” and it is sometimes referred to as Usui Shin Kai—the “core” or “heart” teachings of Usui.17 It is said that during his travels in Nepal, Takamori met a group of monks who practiced an ancient system of healing that contained two reiki symbols, and he stayed with the monks for seven years, learning more about their healing and spiritual practices, which are referred to as Buddho Methods in Reiki Jin Kei Do, or the EnerSense System of Natural Healing. Takamori is said to have met Takata while traveling in the West, where he received a master attunement from her in order to experience an energy transmission from another one of Hayashi’s students. Instruction is divided into three levels, with additional classes offered on advanced topics, such as deeper meanings of the symbols and special meditation techniques.18
Reiki TUMMO: Irmansyah Effendi
Created by Irmansyah Effendi, who studied the Usui system of reiki, Kundalini yoga, Tibetan meditation, and other spiritual practices, TUMMO is said to give a “better and bigger connection to Divine energy” than traditional reiki. It is said to connect the recipient to “earth core energy” and remove knots residing in the chakras, which obstruct the flow of energy. It opens the sushumna, instantly awakening kundalini in a safe manner, and emphasizes connecting with the heart center. Teachings are divided into three levels, with additional classes offered in kundalini, meditation, and other techniques.19
Saku Reiki: Eric Bott
Information about this system comes from Bill Pentz, one of Bott’s students.20 Bott studied numerous spiritual traditions and methods, including Buddhism, Taoism, shamanism, Sufism, Bach flower essences, homeopathy, muscle testing, and reflexology. He learned under a number of reiki teachers, such as Kathleen Milner, William Lee Rand, and Frank Arjava Petter, and went on to create Saku Reiki, which is divided into six levels, with the possibility of progressing to the Saku Ascension Program and the Saku Teaching Master Apprenticeship Program.
Satya Reiki: Shingo Sakuma
Shingo Sakuma studied with a student of Toshiro Eguchi, who, in turn, was a student of Usui’s and a well-known healer in his own right. Teachings are divided into three degrees, with anywhere from one to four attunements given, depending on the level. Four traditional symbols are used, and the system incorporates non-traditional techniques, such as chakras, morning prayer, symbol meditations, and counterclockwise energy spirals.21
Seichim: Patrick Zeigler
In 1980, Zeigler traveled to Egypt, where he spent a night in the Pyramid of Giza, experiencing what he describes as a “powerful initiation.” He then traveled to Sudan, where he worked with a Sufi saint, and these experiences led to the creation of the Sekhem Energy System, also known as All-Love Sekhem, Seichem, Seichim, SKHM, Seichem-Reiki-SSR, and Isis Seichim. Initiation is said to connect the recipient to higher dimensions and reactivate the “eternal life breath,” also known as Ankh, with the aim of opening the heart, harmonizing the entire energy system, and reconnecting the individual to Source. There are no levels to the instruction, and classes are offered in various formats, from one- to two-hour meditations to multiple-day retreats.22
There are various systems and practitioners operating under the umbrella of shamanic reiki, but here, I discuss the practices as outlined by Llyn Roberts, author of Shamanic Reiki and cofounder of Shamanic Reiki Worldwide. The system is divided into three practitioner levels, one teacher level and two “evolving master-teacher” levels. Shamanic Reiki blends traditional reiki practice with indigenous healing approaches, using methods such as accessing altered states of consciousness, removing and transforming energetic intrusions and energy cords, and using drums and rattles to release blocked energy.
Shamballa Multidimensional Healing/Reiki: John Armitage
This system was channeled by John Armitage from a being known as St. Germain, who is said to have brought reiki to earth during the time of Atlantis. Germain gave the energy to people living in what is now Tibet, but they kept the energy to themselves to enhance their own power. Shamballa claims to be the complete system, including the 352 symbols Germain learned during his time as a high priest in Atlantis (the current system has expanded to 1,024 symbols). Teachings are divided into four levels.23
Sun Li Chung Reiki: Yosef Sharon
This system originated in Israel and was channeled by Yosef Sharon. Instruction is divided into five levels, and it claims to have access to thousands of symbols, which are not given directly to the students, as they are expected to channel whichever symbols they need and receive attunement from their spirit guides.24
Tera Mai Reiki: Kathleen Milner
This system was developed by Kathleen Milner, a student of Helen Borth and Margarette Shelton, the latter of whom initiated her to the master level. She also received an initiation to Seichem by August Starr, one of Barbara Weber Ray’s students, but felt that the energy needed to be stabilized, which led to the development of a type of Tera Mai known as Tera Mai Seichem. Milner says that she channeled her teachings from Buddha. Tera Mai Reiki and Tera Mai Seichem are divided into three primary levels, with the option to be initiated into an additional four levels upon completion of master training. Milner also offers classes in Tera Mai Sakara, again divided into three levels and connected to the elements of earth, water, fire, air, and ether; Tera Mai Cahokia, divided into ten initiatory levels; and various classes in shamanic techniques.” 25
Tibetan Reiki: Ralph White
This system is said to originate with Tschen Li, who is claimed to have taught Usui. There is a variation in the material taught, including the number of symbols. For example, one course lists eighteen symbols: Cho Ku Rei, Chakra Cho Ku Reiki Empowerment, Sei He Ki, Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen, En An Ra Hu, Crystal Heart, Crystal Cave, Fusion, Medulla Points, Flower of Life, DNA Activation, Tree of Life, Shiva’s Drum, Eye of Horus, El Om, Star of David, Infinity Symbol, and Violet Fire.26
Usui Reiki Ryôhô: Frans and Bronwen Stiene
The Stienes are the founders of the International House of Reiki and Shibumi International Reiki. Frans is trained as a Gendai Reiki Ho Shihan (teacher) and a Kômyô Reiki Shihan; Bronwen’s teachers include Hyakuten Inamoto, Kathleen Prasad, and Chris Marsh. Currently based in Australia, the Stienes’ aim is to present reiki as it was originally taught by Usui. In addition to researching the origins of the reiki system, Frans studies Shintô, 
, Tendai, and Shingon to understand more deeply what Usui was practicing when he developed his teachings. Bronwen’s practice includes working with animals, through distance treatment sessions, fundraising, and activism. The Stienes have coauthored a number of books, such as The Reiki Sourcebook and The Japanese Art of Reiki: A Practical Guide to Self-Healing, and Frans is the author of The Inner Heart of Reiki: Rediscovering Your True Self and Reiki Insights. They offer in-person classes and retreats, online courses, treatments, and private teachings, as well as community with other practitioners via their international organizations.
Wei Chi Tibetan Reiki: Thomas A. Hensel, Kevin Rodd Emery
This system is divided into three practitioner levels and three teacher levels, and it is based on the channeled teachings of Wei Chi, who is said to have lived in Tibet 5,000 years ago. Wei Chi claims to have created the original system of reiki, which was lost until a small portion of the teachings was rediscovered in the nineteenth century.27
Reiki teachings have blossomed since their inception by Mikao Usui, and students and practitioners now have diverse options to choose from when looking for a school or reiki community. In spite of differences in approach, we are all united by the same fundamental energy of reiki, and it is truly a gift to have so many people with wide-ranging experiences contributing to this rich body of healing knowledge.
1. “Angelic RayKey—ARK,” Of One Source, accessed June 2, 2019, https://ofonesource.com/school/class-list/reiki-and-angelic-raykey.
2. “Ascension Reiki,” Ascension Reiki, accessed June 2, 2019, https://ascensionreiki.com/AscensionReiki-Introduction.html.
3. “About,” Celtic Reiki, accessed June 2, 2019, http://celtic-reiki.com/wp/index.php/about/.
4. Doi, A Modern Reiki Method for Healing, 41.
5. Doi, A Modern Reiki Method for Healing, 6.
6. William Lee Rand, “Interview with Hiroshi Doi Sensei, Part One,” Reiki News Magazine, spring 2014, 30, https://www.reiki.org/download/InterviewHiroshiDoiSecure.pdf.
7. Quest, Reiki for Life, 375.
8. Quest, Reiki for Life, 376.
9. “The Unfolding,” Vajra Reiki, accessed June 2, 2019, http://vajra-reiki.tripod.com/The_Unfolding.html.
10. “About Karuna Reiki,” Karuna Reiki, accessed June 2, 2019, https://www.reiki.org/karunareiki/karunahomepage.html.
11. Gaia, The Book on Karuna Reiki, 9.
12. “Reiki Classes,” Komyo ReikiDo, accessed June 2, 2019, http://www.komyoreikido.jp/english/e_class.html.
13. Oliver Klatt, Reiki Systems of the World: One Heart—Many Beats (Twin Lakes, WI: Lotus Press, 2006), 120–24.
14. Walter Lübeck, Rainbow Reiki: Expanding the Reiki System with Powerful Spiritual Abilities (Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, 1998), 13.
15. Quest, Reiki for Life, 378.
16. Stiene and Stiene, The Reiki Sourcebook, 210.
17. Klatt, Reiki Systems of the World, 126.
18. Reiki JKD Classes,” Reiki Jin Kei Do and Buddho International, accessed September 4, 2019, https://www.reikijinkeidoandbuddhointernational.com/reiki-jkd-classes.html.
19. “How Is Reiki TUMMO Different?” Padmacahaya, accessed June 2, 2019, http://www.padmacahaya.org/reiki-tummo/how-is-reiki-tummo-different.
20. “Mikao Usui’s Reiki Principles,” Bill’s Reiki Page, last modified August 31, 2015, http://billpentz.com/reiki.htm#What%20is%20Saku%20Reiki.
21. Stiene and Stiene, The Reiki Sourcebook, 211.
22. “All-Love Sekhem,” All-Love Sekhem, accessed June 2, 2019, https://www.all-love.com/.
23. Keth Luke, “Shamballa Multidimensional Healing,” awakening-Healing.com, last modified December 31, 2013, https://www.awakening-healing.com/Healing/Shamballa_mdh1024.htm.
24. Quest, Reiki for Life, 379.
25. Kathleen Milner, “Kathleen Milner Home,” accessed June 2, 2019. http://www.kathleenmilner.com/index.html.
26. Catherine Craig, “Tibetan Reiki Distance Course,” Angelic Light, accessed June 2, 2019, https://www.angeliclight.co.uk/.
27. Stiene and Stiene, The Reiki Sourcebook, 220.